Career
In 1893 he purchased the franchise from John B. Day. In 1893, he sold the franchise to Andrew Freedman. He served as Postmaster of New York City, and also on the board of fire commissioners.
He was born on February 12, 1838 in Greenwich, New York to Richard Gabriel Van Cott and Caroline Case.
On May 1, 1889, he took office as Postmaster of New York City. He died on October 25, 1904, at his temporary residence at 163 West 86th Street, in Manhattan, of "heart disease".